Forum analyzes problem of increased salt in soil

Apr 01, 2005

Many nations are coming to
grips with the realization that soil salinity, the measure of total salt in
soil, is robbing them of precious natural resources that sustain life.
Scientists and water resource managers gathered in Riverside, Calif.,
for the first International Salinity Forum to address solutions to this
growing menace. The Forum took place April 25-27.

The lead keynote speaker, Daniel Hillel of Ben-Gurion University in
Israel, noted this problem began as early as the third millennia B.C. in
southern Mesopotamia where the diversion of water from the Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers created both sedimentation and salt loading in what was once
some of the most productive farm land in the world. Other areas of the world
-- Egypt, India, Pakistan, central Asia, Australia, and California's Central
Valley -- have each experienced degradation of their basis life-giving soil to
increased soil salinity.

Hillel reminded the scientific community in attendance that the practice
of land and water management is not simply a series of mechanical tasks, but a
communal occupation and social enterprise by communities and families needing
to live healthy lives. The long-term need for regional management of land and
water resources will impact the welfare of future generations. He said we now
have the knowledge and techniques to prevent what could not be prevented in
the past. "But, above all," Hillel said, "we need the imperative to do what is
right."

Another keynote speaker, Julian Martinez Beltran, with the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Italy, said soil salinity limits crop
production and consequently has negative effects on food security worldwide. In 2002, FAO estimated that about 20-30 million hectares of irrigated land
were seriously damaged by the build-up of salts and 0.25-0.50 million hectares
were to be lost from production every year as a result of salt build-up.

Eduardo Blumwald, a researcher with the University of California, told the
350 attendees that there is no doubt that the gains in food production during
the recent "green revolution" have reached the ceiling. Therefore, he said,
increasing the yield of crops in all types of soils, including salinized
lands, is essential for feeding the world. His genetic research is evaluating
the potential for creating salt-tolerant crops.

A large delegation of researchers from Australia is attending the
conference. R.W. Fitzpatrick with the Land and Water Cooperative Research
Center in South Australia, said the salinity problem in Australia is so
serious that it is taking nearly one football field of soil productivity every
three minutes. The Australian scientists have developed an effective network
with producers, which include the development of illustrated, easy-to-use
manuals, on ways to control soil salinity.

The opening plenary session ended with an address from Pete Silva with the
California State Water Resources Control Board in Sacramento. With
California's population expected to grow 60 percent over the next 30 years, he
said the state will need an additional two million acre feet of water per year
to keep up with demand. Some of that water will likely come through
desalination, which appears to be a more economical option.

The Forum sponsors are hopeful the meeting will improve the sharing of
ideas and research, and develop networking opportunities that will foster
greater regional, national and international collaboration on solving this
international menace.

This article originally appeared in the 04/01/2005 issue of Environmental Protection.